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Fired by Zelensky, Ukraine's ex-defense chief starts tech firm backed by Palantir's Karp

02.09.2026 11:15
Mykhailo Fedorov, dismissed as Ukraine's defense minister in July, has announced he is starting a defense technology company, securing Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp as its first major backer.
FILE PHOTO: Mykhailo Fedorov, who was at the time Ukraines minister of defence, speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2026.
FILE PHOTO: Mykhailo Fedorov, who was at the time Ukraine's minister of defence, speaks at a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko/File Photo

Karp, whose company has supplied Ukraine with military software throughout the war, said he has worked alongside Fedorov for five years and called the new venture one that would matter "for the entire world". The two met in Washington, where Fedorov said he has also been courting other American tech investors and entrepreneurs in recent days.

A statement from Fedorov's team, cited by Reuters on Tuesday, said the company would build on his background in modern military technology, aiming to strengthen Ukraine while advancing defense innovations meant to support "a secure future for the whole world".

Fedorov, 35, held the defense post for just six months before his ouster amid a political rift with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a dismissal that sparked public protests. He had built a reputation as a leading advocate for modernizing Ukraine's military, pushing the expanded use of drones and artificial intelligence.

Since leaving office, Fedorov has repeatedly criticized Kyiv's leadership, accusing officials of inefficiency, corruption and cronyism that he says have wasted Ukraine's military potential. He had signaled plans to pursue independent projects after his dismissal, including work in the defense industry and launching a think tank.

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Source: PAP